Hassan to Europe over debt relief

Hassan to Europe over debt relief

INDONESIA: Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda will visit several European countries to seek clarity on international offers of a debt moratorium following the tsunami disaster.

Hassan, who will be accompanied by a technical team from the finance ministry and the office of the top minister for the economy, left on Sunday evening for Britain, foreign affairs ministry spokesmen Yuri Thamrin said in Jakarta on Sunday.

He will also visit France, Italy, and Germany, Thamrin said, without giving further details.

The Detikcom online news service quoted Hassan as saying the trip's aim was to gain a greater understanding about the offers of debt moratorium from those countries. Hassan said he would meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the scheme.

"We will seek clarity on the debt moratorium contract," he said, adding that he will also seek to reach a common perception between donor countries and Indonesia on what the nation actually needed. "Not only for the reconstruction of Aceh but also for the recovery of the economy."

Government creditors in the Paris Club are this week due to consider a debt moratorium for Sri Lanka and Indonesia, two of the countries worst affected by last month's disaster. -- AFP